Virtual Magazine of Morocco on the Web
Morocco Week in Review 
September 24, 2005

Solar eclipse to cross Morocco.
American NGO raises funds for projects in rural Morocco.
US ambassador in Rabat hails socioeconomic reforms in Morocco.
Cardiovascular diseases, main cause of mortality in Morocco.
IFM calls for structural reforms acceleration in Morocco.
IMF encourages Morocco to modify economy policies.
300-year-old Torah discovered in southern Morocco.
Disadvantaged children: Unicef embraces National Initiative for Human Development.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco launches anti-illiteracy programme in mosques.
US-based company buys 65 per cent share in Morocco's leading paper
Berber world : Ancient Berber jewels to be exhibited in Casablanca.
New National Library in Morocco.
Morocco allocates USD 9Bn to roads, telecommunications.
Moroccan government set to create 200,000 jobs by 2008.
2004-2005 agricultural output falls by 24%, Minister.
Over 50,000 Moroccans will be affected by Alzheimer by 2010, expert.
Morocco 'excellent' economic platform in the region, US agency.
Research project to preserve Argan trees.
Illiteracy in Morocco drops by 8% in 7 years, Minister.
Over 6 Mn students enrolled in Moroccan schools, universities.
Morocco allocates MAD 9 bn to develop roads and telecoms.
King Mohammed VI moves to bring transparency to political system,

Solar eclipse to cross Morocco.

The solar eclipse of 2005 will cross Morocco on Oct. 3 from 7:40 pm to 10:34 pm, said the Moroccan Arabic daily Al-Ahdath Al-Magrebiya.
This phenomenon will cover the whole Moroccan territory, explained the daily. In a communiqué, the Ministry of Health seized the opportunity to make Moroccans, especially children and those who suffer short sightedness, aware of the dangers of the eclipse.

The Ministry said that this phenomenon may lead to dangerous eye diseases, unless viewers take enough precautions. It can even lead to total blindness. The solar eclipse should only be watched using special glasses made for the solar eclipse, which can absorb the ultraviolet rays, it added. The Ministry of Health warned Moroccan citizens that the usual sun glasses and coloured glass are not enough to prevent harm from viewing the eclipse. It also advised Moroccans to watch the phenomenon only through their TV screens. A hotline is at the service of the public wishing to know more about the phenomenon: 037/68/64/64.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/news/article.asp?id=9836 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

American NGO raises funds for projects in rural Morocco.
Washington, Sept. 22

The American "High Atlas Foundation" has organized a fundraising function in New York to the profit of economic and social development projects in Morocco.
These projects, meant to benefit rural areas' inhabitants, will be implemented by the US foundation in partnership with the Moroccan government and the local NGOs. High Atlas Foundation chairman, Jason Ben-Meir said his NGO, composed of former peace corps members who served in Morocco, operates in projects able to better the life conditions of rural communities.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/american_ngo_raises/view 

Chicago Half Marathon HAF to collect funds for rural development in Morocco.

The High Atlas Foundation (HAF) said its treasurer Dave Keiser and five US-based Moroccans will be running in the Chicago Half Marathon on Sunday, to collect money for tree plantations in Morocco's High Atlas region. Called "Run 4 Trees", the operation is the second to be coordinated by HAF this year, after the foundation raised almost USD 1,000 from the Nashville Half Marathon. "Earlier this year our good friend Craig Hanrahan raised almost USD 1,000 from the Nashville Half Marathon. We learned a lot from him and have managed to gather five local Moroccan-Americans living in Chicago to run with us,"
said a HAF statement. HAF expects to raise USD 3,000 from the ninth annual running of the Chicago Half Marathon.

"Let's support Dave and the volunteers as they run on September 25th. All it takes is 300 people to donate USD 10 each, or donate USD 13 at USD 1/mile for which the runners run. One dollar buys one fruit tree."

The High Atlas Foundation is a non-profit organisation, created by Peace Corps Volunteers to establish community development projects in Morocco that local people design, in partnership with government and non-government agencies. It raises funds to support projects relating to drinking water, irrigation, trees planting, school construction, and women's cooperatives. It also creates training programmes to transfer skills through participatory development projects, and mobilises broad-based support, particularly in the United States, for implementing schemes.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/paper/article.asp?idr=28&id=9874 

Semi-marathon in Chicago to collect funds for rural development in Morocco.
Washington, Sept. 20

Moroccan NGOs will organize on Sunday a marathon in Chicago to collect funds that will contribute to rural development in Morocco, notably in the high Atlas region. "The marathon is an opportunity for Moroccans and Americans to bring assistance to needy populations in rural zones in Morocco," said organizers.
The marathon was initiated by the High-Atlas Foundation (HAF) as a contribution to the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), that was launched last May by king Mohammed VI to fight poverty and social exclusion.

HAF is an American non-lucrative organization set up by former peace corps in Morocco who use their past experiences and professional knowledge in the north African country to promote development projects in the rural world in partnership with the Moroccan government and NGOs. The foundation has already carried out other projects in the north African country.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/semi-marathon_in_chi/view 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

US ambassador in Rabat hails socioeconomic reforms in Morocco.
Marrakech, Sept. 21

US ambassador in Rabat, Thomas Riley hailed, here on Wednesday, the socioeconomic reforms ushered in the kingdom by king Mohammed VI. Speaking at the opening ceremony of a conference on "enlarging investment prospects in Northern Africa", he said the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between Morocco and the USA will promote American investments in the kingdom that enjoys important competitive potentials. He recalled that some 70 American companies are currently investing in Morocco, notably in tourism, energy and telecommunications, voicing hope that the volume of investments will increase and reach other economic sectors.

For his part, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) vice-president, Ross Connelly stressed the need to grant more importance to the countries of North Africa by encouraging American companies to invest in the region. North Africa, which boasts 180 million customers, is not enough exploited by American investors, he said, calling for setting up new partnerships that would benefit American investors and the region economies. The objective of the conference, which brings together 300 American businessmen, is to shed light on the potentials of the region emerging markets in several sectors.

Created in 1971, OPIC is a development agency of the US government that helps American businesses invest in over 140 emerging economies around the world. It finances investment projects worth USD 50mn in Morocco.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/economy/us_ambassador_in_rab/view 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Cardiovascular diseases, main cause of mortality in Morocco.
9/18/2005

Cardiovascular diseases and arterial hypertension, diabetes and obesity are the main causes of mortality and morbidity in Morocco, said President of the Moroccan Cardiology Society (SMC), Ahmed Bennis. Speaking at the 9th world Congress of Cardiovascular Ultrasound held in Marrakech, he pointed out that Morocco suffers from several diseases that lead to cardiovascular problems as 30% of Moroccans suffer from arterial hypertension, 6% from diabetes and 13% from obesity. These diseases, he noted, can be prevented by practising sports, giving up smoking, diminishing grass consumption and adopting a balanced nutrition system, calling for a larger access to medical care that is still highly expensive.

For his part, Dr Said Benchekroun, Head of Hematology and Oncology service at 20 Août Hospital, noted that Morocco is lacking the means to handle cancer and aortic lymph glands diseases, as the kingdom boasts only two centers in pediatric hematology and oncology and another one for adults.

These centers lack staff and have a poor hosting capacity, he said, adding that the diseases treatment is very expensive as it costs patients between USD 250 and USD 1,000 per day, while they should have 8 injections during the treatment period of a value of USD 2,500 each. Lymphomas are from 80 to 90% cured in the cases of early diagnostics, especially that new efficient medicines have been discovered in this respect.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/paper/article.asp?idr=11&id=9808 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

IFM calls for structural reforms acceleration in Morocco.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called Morocco to accelerate the implementation of reforms, to solve problems like unemployment and poverty, face the continuous increase in oil prices and boost development rates. The report, issued on September 15, stated a number of positive steps the Moroccan economy has achieved.

"Inflation remained low," says the report,"nonagricultural output growth accelerated. Considerable progress has been made in the implementation of structural reforms, most importantly those related to trade liberalization, the financial sector, public enterprises, and the labor market." However, growth has been reported to be volatile and insufficient to face problems like unemployment and poverty.

To face these phenomena, the Fund urged the Moroccan authorities to carry on their efforts to initiate tax reform. They also called for simplifying the tariff structure, further reduce tariffs, and eliminate variable tariff rates. The Fund also encouraged Morocco to adopt measures which would improve the business environment, like the implementation of the new labor code and the acceleration of judicial reforms. These measures would foster investment, and help create job opportunities.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/news/article.asp?id=9879 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

IMF encourages Morocco to modify economy policies.

The International Monetary Funds (IMF) encouraged Moroccan authorities to modify its economy policies in its annual report on Morocco published on Thursday September 15. Yabiladi reports that according to the IMF's report, although the current level of debts does not pose a risk for the economic stability in the short run, the government needs to change its fiscal policies for the economic growth in the long term. In the report, IMF congratulates Morocco for "maintaining economic stability and its structural reforms," adding that Morocco should speed up the implementation of the structural and legal reforms in order to attract foreign investors to the country.
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Morocco/189200 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

300-year-old Torah discovered in southern Morocco.
By JPOST.COM STAFF Sep. 19, 2005

A 300-year old Torah was recently discovered in the village of Amzerouk in southern Morocco. It was discovered inside the house of a local Muslim family during the "Queen of the Desert" competition, and purchased by a Jewish philanthropist for $7,500. The Torah originally belonged to the local Jewish community in the area. In a ceremony Sunday, it was given to the competition's participants. At the end of the competition, the Torah will be flown to Israel, Army Radio reported.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127010252098  
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Disadvantaged children: Unicef embraces National Initiative for Human Development.

The representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) in Morocco, Maie Ayoub Von Kohl, has asserted the organization's activities in the country will work alongside the National Initiative for Human Development (NIHD). A Unicef study on the situation of disadvantaged children in the Marrakech region is underway, Von Kohl told MAP news agency on Tuesday. The Unicef official also hailed the willingness expressed by the Wali of the region to contribute to the success of her organization's project.

In tandem with the National Initiative for Human Development, launched by the King in May, is designed to provide basic infrastructure to millions of Moroccans, from adequate housing and drinking water, to health care and education, the Unicef programme in Morocco aims at integrating disadvantaged children into society. "The objective of this study is to establish adequate mechanisms to integrate disadvantaged children, notably by creating activities to improve education and the health situation of this social category," Unicef Deputy Executive Director Rima Salah said in an interview with the Rabat-based official press agency. The Unicef initiative will be conducted in collaboration with regional delegations representing the ministries of health and education
http://www.moroccotimes.com/news/article.asp?id=9868 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

King Mohammed VI of Morocco launches anti-illiteracy programme in mosques.
18/09/2005

Moroccan King Mohammed VI launched the 2005-2006 anti-illiteracy programme in mosques on Friday (16 September), at Al Housna Mosque in Casablanca. MAP reports the first stage of the programme targets 60,000 people, 48,000 of whom are aged 15-45. Some 2,160 teachers -- 950 of them women -- and 2,334 mosques will participate. When completed, the initiative is envisioned to reach 500,000 beneficiaries, including 304,000 in rural areas http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/homepage/ 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

US-based company buys 65 per cent share in Morocco's leading paper
producer.18/09/2005

International Paper Co., the world's largest paper and forest products company, announced on Friday (16 September) it agreed to buy a 65 per cent stake in Compagnie Marocaine des Cartons et des Papiers (CMCP), for about $80m in cash, plus $40m in assumed debt. According to International Paper, the stake in CMCP will help it boost its corrugated box business globally, while strengthening its position in the fruit and vegetable segment. The deal is expected to close before year's end. "The investment in CMCP will offer IP an opportunity to increase shipments of Kraft linerboard to Morocco," said Tom Kadien, president of International Paper Europe, in a statement. CMCP will become part of International Paper's European container business, which operates 25 box plants and two corrugated containerboard mills. CMCP has four box plants and one recycled containerboard mill in Morocco, and employs about 1,500 people http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/homepage/ 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Berber world : Ancient Berber jewels to be exhibited in Casablanca.

An exhibition of ancient Berber jewels is to take place in Casablanca Sept. 23-25 to spotlight the cultural inheritance of the region of Tiznit, reported the French language daily L'economiste Artisans of silver jewels have chosen Casablanca to exhibit their creations. Articles of historical value, notably bracelets, earrings, boxes and tiaras will be presented in a traditional house in Habbous.

Fouzia Zerrat, the organiser of this exhibition, is taking this initiative to make the traditional facets of the region known to visitors. The exhibition aims at spotlighting the rich traditions of the region. Zerrat said "What is strange, is that foreigners know more than us about this part of Morocco." The exhibition is going to present silver jewels with copies of ancient models and also some expensive originals.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/news/article.asp?id=9810 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

New National Library in Morocco.

With the initiative of the Moroccan Ministry of Culture, a new national library was built in Kenitra, Morocco. Le Matin reports that the total area of the library is about 1,580 square meters with two big reading rooms, an audio-visual section and a section for children. The national library of Kenitra features 10,000 books in Arabic, 5,000 books in French and 300 books in English Brahim Ighlane, the manager of Kenitra national library, said that although they have just opened the library, they already have 130 members.
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Morocco/189325 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Morocco allocates USD 9Bn to roads, telecommunications.
Marrakech, Sept. 21

Morocco has allocated USD 9Bn of public investments for roads construction, telecommunications and energy projects part of an ambitious program, said, here Wednesday, prime minister, Driss Jettou. Speaking at the opening ceremony of a conference on "enlarging investment prospects in Northern Africa", Jettou pointed out that the program includes projects designed to modernize the economic infrastructure of Morocco by stepping up roads building programs, extending rail tracks and modernizing ports.

Building an interconnectivity with international standards is one of the three pillars of a modern, competitive and productive Morocco, that keeps in pace with the world great transition, he said, adding that the two other pillars are assuring the economic aggregates equilibrium, improving the competitiveness environment and modernizing the national productive fabric. The prime minister underlined that the kingdom endeavors to promote the national economy and investment through improving companies' working conditions and providing competitive conditions for investors.

The conference (Sept. 21-23), initiated by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), is an opportunity to highlight Morocco's potentials, notably the human capital that is the fruit of permanent adaptation of the education and professional training systems.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/box5/morocco_allocates_us/view 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Moroccan government set to create 200,000 jobs by 2008.
Skhirat, Sept. 22

The Moroccan government has adopted a train of measures to create 200,000 jobs by 2008, in a bid to fight unemployment that touched 10.8% of the population in 2004. At the opening Thursday of a national forum on labor (Sept. 22-23) in Skhirat (20km from Rabat), Prime Minister Driss Jettou said the budget required for the implementation of these measures nears MAD 2 billion (around USD 222 million). The Moroccan official insisted that any solution to the problem of unemployment should go through the realization of a high and sustainable economic growth rate, and the encouragement of investments that are capable of meeting the annual needs and absorbing the accumulated deficits.

Among the measures to be adopted, the Moroccan premier cited facilitating small enterprises creation, simplifying provisions regulating limited liability companies, and stepping up reforms in the educational system and vocational training. The Prime Minister underlined the need to improve the adaptation of training to the needs of the markets in general and companies in particular. Unemployment mainly touches graduates (26.9% in 2004) due to inadequacies between training and the needs of the labor market.

Jettou noted that previous reforms had a positive impact on the labor market, with a significant improvement of unemployment rate that fell from 14.5% in 1999 to 10.8% last year. In a significant move, the Moroccan official invited unemployed graduates, who were staging a sit-in before the center that was hosting the forum, to join the event to express their viewpoints on unemployment. The forum opening ceremony was attended by government members, MPs, businesspersons, members of trade unions and professional associations, as well as several national and international experts.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/box4/moroccan_government/view 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

2004-2005 agricultural output falls by 24%, Minister.
Rabat, Sept. 22

The production of the 2004-2005 crop year, estimated at 42 million quintals, has plummeted 24% in comparison to the last five years, said Agriculture Minister, Mohand Laenser. Speaking at the weekly Cabinet meeting, the minister said that his department has provided farmers with 750 thousand quintals of seeds, with a State subvention ranging from USD 8 to 10 depending on the seed type. The agriculture department intends also to pursue the program of insurance against drought and the indemnification of farmers for an amount of MAD 120Mn (USD 13.3Mn), in addition to the program that includes supporting with modern techniques, maintenance and revamping of irrigation canals, he said. He added that, in order to face the challenges of openness to international markets, the government is due to set up a yearly USD 278Mn program for the integral upgrading of the agricultural sector.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/box3/2004-2005_agricultur/view 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over 50,000 Moroccans will be affected by Alzheimer by 2010, expert.
Casablanca, Sept. 21

Over 50,000 Moroccans will be affected by Alzheimer by year 2010, deemed on Wednesday, Pr El Alaoui Faris, head of the Neurology and Neuropsychology service at the specialization hospital in Rabat. Given that a part of the Moroccan population is growing old (5% will be over 65 by 2020), Alzheimer is becoming tragically common, Pr Faris told a press briefing held on the world Alzheimer's day.

The doctor explained that this pathology is the first cause of mental diseases in Moroccan patients, deploring, however, that the Alzheimer is still unknown for a large part of people who often have recourse to medical consultation when it is too late. The specialist explained that Alzheimer''s disease is a progressive, irreversible brain disorder with no known cause or cure, noting that it slowly steals the minds of its victims. Symptoms, he said, include memory loss, impaired judgment, disorientation and loss of language skills. Even though the cure is still unavailable, some drugs reduce the progress of the disease, he went on, highlighting the need of early diagnostic to slow down the evolution of the disease.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/box2/over_50000_moroccan/view 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Morocco 'excellent' economic platform in the region, US agency.
Marrakech, Sept. 21

Morocco can be an "excellent" economic platform in the region thanks to efforts made to enhance transparency and simplify procedures for foreign investors, affirmed, here on Tuesday, Public Affairs Director of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), Lawrence Spinelli. Spinelli, who was speaking at a press briefing on the occasion of a conference initiated by OPIC due to take place on September 21 through 23, also ascribed this position to the political stability that Morocco enjoys, in addition to its qualified labor, and the quality studies offered in its institutions. He said the choice of Morocco to host this conference on "enlarging investment prospects in Northern Africa" is an "additional step" towards reinforcing US-Moroccan economic relations. This USD 14bn company was established as a development agency of the US government in 1971, to help American businesses invest in over 140 emerging economies around the world. It finances investment projects worth USD 50mn in Morocco.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/economy/morocco__excellent/view 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Research project to preserve Argan trees.
Rabat, Sept. 19

A research program to ensure the preservation and the sustainable development of the Argan tree will be launched on Tuesday, said the Social Development Agency (ADS) in a communiqué. The research program, to be carried out part of partnership between ADS and the European Union, also aims at supporting the legal framework of the Argan sector by financing sustainable development projects. This program complements the Argan Project, whose objective is to contribute to the human development of the Argan zone, especially through upgrading women cooperatives operating in this field, and backing the preservation of the Argan tree (Argania Spinosa).

Morocco boasts some 21 million Argan trees that grow only in the south west of the country -roughly between Essaouira and Agadir, in an area covering 700,000-800,000 hectares. Argania Spinosa can reach heights of 8-10 metres, probably originated in Argana, a village north-east of Agadir. It lives longer than the olive and requires no attending. The production of Argan oil, which is still operated mostly in a traditional method, is a lengthy process. Each nut has to be cracked open to remove the kernels, and it is said that producing one litre of oil takes 20 hours' work.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/economy/research_project_to/view 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Illiteracy in Morocco drops by 8% in 7 years, Minister.
Rabat, Sept. 8

The illiteracy rate in Morocco, estimated presently at 40%, has regressed by 8% in 7 years, revealed, here Thursday, the State Secretary in charge of Literacy and Informal Education. Speaking at a conference on "Illiteracy Programs and Informal Education Follow-up Mechanisms," Anis Birou said this decrease encouraged the concerned parties to make more efforts to eradicate the phenomenon of illiteracy.

The coming general census will allow for determining more accurately the reality of this phenomenon and steering the actions towards eradicating it, he said. The minister also said that the government has published, for the first time, schoolbooks specialized in informal education. It has also created consulting and orientation bodies at the central and local levels, as well as ad hoc bodies within the regional academies of the ministry of national education, according to the minister.

In the academic year 2004-2005, 470,000 beneficiaries and 34,000 children enrolled in literacy programs. The conference was organized on the occasion of the International Literacy Day celebrated on September 8.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/illiteracy_in_morocc/view 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Over 6 Mn students enrolled in Moroccan schools, universities.
Rabat, Sept. 8

Some 6.5 Mn students have enrolled in Moroccan schools and universities for the school year 2005-2006, an increase mainly due to the governmental strategy aimed at the generalization of schooling. According to Education Minister, Habib El Malki, the results of this strategy were concretized through increasing the number of students enrolled in primary schools, middle schools and universities by 3 to 12%. El Malki told a press conference Tuesday that his department intends to make new initiatives in schools to enhance social harmonization and patriotism. The Ministry, he said, ponders the introduction of greeting the national flag and singing the national hymn every morning at schools. He added that other initiatives were taken to fight school dropout and to reinforce the level of students through support courses organized in cooperation with parents associations.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morocco allocates MAD 9 bn to develop roads and telecoms.

Morocco has allocated MAD 9 billion of public investments for road construction, telecommunications and energy projects, as part of an ambitious programme, said on Wednesday Prime Minister Driss Jettou. Speaking at the opening ceremony of a conference on "enlarging investment prospects in Northern Africa", Jettou pointed out that the programme includes projects designed to modernise the economic infrastructure of Morocco by stepping up road building programmes, extending rail tracks and modernising ports.

Building an interconnectivity with international standards is one of the three pillars of a modern, competitive and productive Morocco that keeps up with the world's great transition he said. The prime minister added that the two other pillars are assuring the economic economic balance, improving the competitive environment and modernising the national production. The prime minister underlined that the Kingdom endeavors to promote the national economy and investment through improving companies' working conditions and providing competitive conditions for investors.

The conference Sept. 21-23, initiated by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), is an opportunity to highlight Morocco's potentials, namely the human capital that is the fruit of the permanent adaptation of the education and professional training systems.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/news/article.asp?id=9902 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

King Mohammed VI moves to bring transparency to political system,
'Christian Science Monitor'. Washington, Sept 23

Since his accession to the throne in 1999, King Mohammed VI has moved to bring transparency to the political system, curb corruption, and elevate the status of women, wrote Friday the American "Christian Science Monitor" daily. King Mohammed VI "founded the Equity and Reconciliation Commission in 2004 to investigate human rights crimes", says the paper, which notes, citing the commission President, Driss Benzekri, "Our mission is to search for the truth," "to create a democratic society, people have to know the truth, to know their history. That's the way to achieve a culture of transparency."

The paper points out that the commission analyzed 22,000 cases and compensated victims and their families, noting that "because it was not conceived as a judicial body, the commission cannot prosecute" those who were accused during the hearings. Citing a Moroccan expert, Lahcen Haddad, a professor and civil society activist who worked with the commission, the paper says that "the decision (to set up the commission) properly separates the commission's investigative task from the judicial system's obligations."

"Change occurs in increments and this process is the best way to avoid political upheaval and assure stability in North Africa and around the Mediterranean," says the daily that describes Morocco as "the most promising ally in the Arab world for both the US and Europe".
*******************************************

These postings are provided without permission of the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the identified copyright owner.  The poster does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the message, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.